This year marks 10 years since Congress declared February National Dating Violence Awareness Month, a national effort to raise awareness about the impacts of dating abuse and encourage communities to support young people in seeking healthy relationships. Though these conversations are important to have year-round, February gives us the opportunity to shine a light on dating abuse and inspire conversations about healthy relationships in order to stop violence before it starts.

Go #Orange4Love this February and wear orange on February 11th, 2020 to raise awareness about dating abuse. Hang posters, post on social media, start a challenge with your friends or family or school! Let others know that everyone deserves safe, healthy, happy relationships.

Why wear orange this February?

  • 1 in 3 young people will experience physical, sexual, or emotional abuse by someone they are in a relationship with.
  • Start conversations about healthy relationships, ways to recognize abuse, and what resources are available if your relationship isn’t a healthy one.
  • Join the nation-wide movement to raise awareness about dating abuse and show support for healthy relationships. Inspire others to do the same!
  • Because everyone deserves a healthy relationship. Help stop abuse before it starts.

Need ideas on how to wear orange?

  • Think about the orange clothing you already have – a shirt, a dress, a scarf.
  • Pick an orange accessory to show your support. Scrunchies, stickers, shoelaces, jewelry, sunglasses, ribbons, hats.
  • No clothing or accessories? Get creative with makeup, face paint, nail polish, or temporary hair dye.
  • Don’t forget about social media! An easy way to go orange is to share a picture on social media with an orange filter, frame, or awareness ribbon. Include statistics about dating abuse or your reason for wearing orange this February.

Share pics of you in your orange using the hashtags #orange4love and #whataboutlove.

Get Involved

Everyone has a part in ending dating abuse.

We recognize that while love has many definitions, abuse should never be one of them. Make the commitment to practice healthy love and encourage others to do the same.

Sign the Pledge to Help End Dating Violence Today!

Looking for more ways to get involved?

Author

  • Kiara Nicholson

    Kiara is a full-time cat lady with a passion for social justice. At HCWC, she is the Primary Prevention Coordinator – facilitating conversations with adolescents and adults on fostering healthier relationships and ways to make the world a safer, more equitable place. Kiara is a proud alum of Texas State University where she received her bachelor’s degree in Applied Sociology. Her passions include social change, youth activism, LGBTQ activism, and crafting. She doesn’t like taking pictures, but she does love Bitmojis.